“I’m afraid of death.” Emanuele Cani, a member of Sardinia’s regional industrial council, has not yet recovered. At least not completely. He relived, as in a nightmare, the fall of November 12 on the majestic steps of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy: the tripping, the loss of balance, the unbalanced forward movement, the terrible impact, the shattering of glass. An accident, one of those accidents that could happen to anyone, except that the board member fell on a piece of art by Mario Sironi and broke it. His misstep cost him dearly not only because he was injured, but also in terms of economy (we are talking about 30-40 thousand euros for the restoration) and in terms of visibility.
Council members, what happened?
It all happened in a matter of seconds: I tripped on the carpet, lost my balance and my fall ended on the windowsill. I fainted there, then the carabinieri who were present helped me.
Was he daydreaming, was he in a hurry?
No, none of this exists. I was calm, that morning’s work schedule at Expo 2025 had just finished and I was leaving.
At least he had attended the refreshment event first?
Just pizza and cake, I don’t like to burden myself. Soon I will have another work schedule, namely a regional council meeting.
How is he now?
Now that’s good. But I was lucky, I could have even died.
In what sense?
Everyone has read articles and seen videos, even ironic ones, about autumn. But no one knows what I was thinking at that time: I was scared. For me and my family. The window frame is ten meters high, below it is emptiness. I had abrasions on my hands, bruises on my legs, shoulder pain in my left arm.
It’s quite troublesome, how long will it take to recover?
I hope it’s not much, but the doctors have told me that I will definitely have to undergo physiotherapy.
Can someone help him and avoid this incident?
I don’t think so, it’s true that I was alone on the stairs at that time, but who knows if there were other people, something could have happened, even worse.
Is this your first time encountering a work of art?
Yes, in short, it was an absurd case, it could have happened to anyone. I’ve done those stairs hundreds of times and nothing ever happens.
Now, two days have passed since the incident, are you more disappointed that Sironi’s “La Carta del Lavoro” (1932) has been damaged or has it become the center of media coverage?
At first I experienced it as trauma, I froze. Then, after the moment had passed, I looked at the context, the damage, the cost of the restoration… I was very sorry for the work and, if I could have avoided falling at that moment, I would have done it, that’s clear. I understand the media reaction, but emotionally it’s a bit tough, I’m there to do my job.
Has the ministry made itself heard after its fall?
Minister Adolfo Urso called me. I didn’t expect it.
And what did he say to her?
It was a nice phone call, he was worried about me and regretful of the whole situation. A good gesture of solidarity, but it’s not the only one, there are many people close to me.
No comments that hurt him?
The web can be cruel, many people laugh at it, but I only laugh at a few.
When will you return to the accident scene?
It’s Monday, if my health allows. Otherwise, I will attend scheduled meetings remotely.
From a distance there is no risk of further damage.
Also. But, jokes aside, I would return to ministry soon. Considering my role, I couldn’t avoid it, even if I currently have traumatic memories about it.
In the hope that next time everything will go smoothly.
Yes, enough with the accidents. Maybe when I go back I’ll expect more security measures, I don’t know, a barrier. Both to protect the safety of people working and the integrity of works of art.
Sironi’s nephew talked about “irreparable damage to a work worth millions”, did you hear that?
Not yet, but I’ll definitely give him a call. I’ve apologized publicly, now I have to do it privately to him too.
